Cali Combat - Impact Wrestling recap for August 23, 2019

"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. Rhino ends in a double count-out. Both men continue to fight after the match, and referees, officials and security show up to keep both men apart.

Backstage, we hear from "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin, who says that it is far from over between him and Rhino and that Rhino has never met anyone like him. Rhino shows up from behind and fights him again, and referees, officials and security have to keep both men apart a second time.

The North ("All Ego" Ethan Page and "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander) retain the Impact World Tag Team Championships against Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe and Luster The Legend).

Backstage, Ace Austin pretends to be injured as Alisha Edwards walks by, and tells her that he should fine and that he couldn't miss her match despite the fact that doctors say that he should not be here. After Alisha walks away, Austin drops his crutch and walks away.

Backstage, Madison Rayne talks with Jordynne Grace, saying that she does not take her role as locker room leader lightly and that she doesn't like the look of siding with somebody who destroys everything they touch in Rosemary. Jordynne Grace says she appreciates the help, but that she does not need it, and that she did not need Rosemary's help either. She says she will tell Rosemary the same thing.

Havok beats Alisha Edwards. After the match, Ace Austin shows up and checks on Alisha Edwards, but Eddie Edwards shows up and chases after Ace Austin only to come face-to-face with Havok. Austin makes fun of Eddie as Havok choke slams Eddie. Afterwards, the show's transmission is hijacked by Su Yung, who seems to be speaking backwards.

We hear from oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist, Dave Crist, Madman Fulton). Sami says he does not care if "The Machine" Brian Cage is injured or hurt, because the only thing Cage will be hearing at the end of the match is the ring announcer calling him the new Impact World Champion. He also says that he does not need help winning the Impact World Championship and neither does Jake Crist, telling Jake that he is on his own as he defends the X Division Championship tonight.

We hear from Moose, who says he has a day off and that he is starting to think that his ordeal with Ken Shamrock is a publicity stunt and that Shamrock is coming after him for attention. He says that Shamrock is no longer the most dangerous man in his own family, and that Shamrock has to know his track record and that he has put down men who thought they were dangerous. He tells Shamrock to be careful what he wishes for.

Jake Crist retains the Impact X Division Championship against Rich Swann after pushing referee Brandon Tolle into the path of a springboard cutter by Rich Swann and grabbing the tights on a subsequent schoolkid pin.

We hear from Tenille Dashwood, who has come to Impact to go straight to the top of the Knockouts division.

We see footage of The Desi Hit Squad (Gama Singh, Rohit Raju, Raj Singh) going to the Deaner compound.

The Impact Plus Flashback Moment of the Week is Ken Shamrock winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Taya Valkyrie says she has run through the Knockouts division and defended the Knockouts title for the last 229 days. The current record is 238 days, and as of next week, she will be the longest-reigning and greatest Knockouts Champion in history. To celebrate the occasion, she will defend the Knockouts Championship in Mexico City, Mexico.

Willie Mack beats Trey Miguel.

Backstage, Melissa Santos interviews Tommy Dreamer, who says that there are a lot of crazy times in the world today and that there is a lot of bad news on social media these days. He says that professional wrestling has provided an escape for people, but just like in the real world, there are good people and bad people in professional wrestling. He calls Sami Callihan one of those bad people for spreading hate and negativity, and says that Sami is not better than him or Tessa Blanchard. Dreamer says that his escapism will be Sami's reality when he enjoys beating the crap out of him and making the world a better place.

Next week: Michael Elgin vs. Rhino in a Falls Count Anywhere Match!

Sami Callihan beats Tommy Dreamer in a no-disqualification match. After the match, Sami puts Dreamer's arm between both sides of a ladder and grabs his baseball bat. He is about to injure Dreamer's arm when Tessa Blanchard runs in and attacks Sami. Sami begs from mercy when Jake Crist shows up to attack Tessa from behind. The show ends with Sami hitting Tessa with a Cactus Special.

Here are the top five moments from tonight's show!

Impact Wrestling One Night Only: Cali Combat - The Results

Luster The Legend beats "Jackpot" Scotty Wringer.

We see footage from earlier today where James Ellsworth announces his Impact Wrestling debut, where he will prove that any man with two hands has a fighting chance.

Trevor Lee beats "The Fighting Unicorn" Kimo.

We see footage from moments ago where Luster The Legend says that what he did tonight is exactly what he has been thinking about doing since her heard he would be on the show. He had an opportunity, and he showed Impact Wrestling what he is capable of. As for Adam Thornstowe, he has no idea what he is doing, but he is still is brother and they are Reno Scum. He knows that when he needs him, he will be there, and what he did tonight is nothing compared to what Reno Scum will do as a tema. He hopes everyone in the back was watching, as when Reno Scum is in the ring, the opposition will be silenced.

oVe (Jake and Dave Crist) vs. Teddy Hart and Scott Steiner from Impact Wrestling vs. Lucha Underground at WrestleCon 2018 is replayed.

We see footage from earlier today where Eli Drake, who says that the cameraman is waiting for him because there is a title match tonight and because he moved to California a while back due to the beautiful weather, the beautiful women and the fact that the stars are out at night. He says the stars are out tonight, and he plans on taking the Impact Wrestling World Championship. He says that Austin Aries will have stars in his eyes when he is World Champion once again.

Katarina Lee beats Taya Valkyrie after reversing the Road to Valhalla into a victory roll. (Katarina Lee is perhaps better known as Winter, and comes out to her "Winter" music.)

We see footage from earlier today where "The Warrior Princess" Samara tells Allie she will show her she has potential to be the face of the Knockouts Division.

We see footage from moments ago where Katarina Lee says it has been a eight years since she was in an Impact ring, and not only has she come back, but she has come back better. She calls it a challenge and an honor to get in the ring with Taya Valkyrie, and not only did she survive, she came out the winner.

Before the next match, "Grizzly" Kal Jak says he came here to rip, roar and rumble, and that there is nobody in the back who can beat him. That challenge is answered by James Ellsworth.

James Ellsworth beats "Grizzly" Kal Jak after grabbing a steel chair and bringing it into the ring. The referee takes the chair away, but James Ellsworth kicks Kal Jak in the groin behind the referee's back and hits a superkick for the win.

The Mack and Killshot vs. The Latin-American Xchange (Santana and Ortiz) for the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships from Impact Wrestling vs. Lucha Underground at Wrestlecon 2018 is replayed.

In footage from earlier tonight, The Latin-American Xchange (Santana and Ortiz) announce they are here in California as part of their mission to collect money, women and championships. Tonight, they have The Ballard Brothers (Shannon and Shane Ballard), and while The Ballard Brothers are seasoned veterans, they've never faced them, and they will be facing the ceiling when they are done. Santana says taht they have dominated in Impact Wrestling since day one, and that it is always the same no matter where they go. He also says that the tag team titles have been with LAX for a long time and they are not going anywhere. He then tells The Ballard Brothers to bring the fight, because they will bring a harder one.

The Latin-American Xchange (Santana and Ortiz) retain the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships against The Ballard Brothers (Shannon and Shane Ballard).

We see footage from earlier today where Allie says that unlike a certain warrior princess, "The Warrior Princess" Samara isn't quite a nice. She also says taht crazy princesses and undead brides have come after her for the title, but Gail Kim has taught her to stand up for herself, and she will beat Samara tonight. She also tells Braxton Sutter to stop calling her.

Allie retains the Impact Wrestling Knockouts Championship against "The Warrior Princess" Samara.

We see footage from earlier today where Eddie Edwards talks about his match with "Reborn" Matt Sydal. He has a chance to become X Division Champion again, but he also has to keep Sami Callihan and what he has done to him and his family out of his head. Eddie says he can do that, and he has built his career on beating people that he supposedly could not beat, and he will once again have a title around his waist to prove he is one of the best to step into Impact Wrestling. He also tells Sami Callihan not to worry, as he is always in the back of his mind.

"Reborn" Matt Sydal retains the Impact Wrestling X Division Championship against Eddie Edwards. After the match, both men show a sign of respect towards each other.

King Cuerno, Drago, and Aerostar vs. DJ Z, Andrew Everett and Dezmond Xavier from Impact Wrestling vs. Lucha Underground at Wrestlecon 2018 is replayed.

We see footage from earlier today where Austin Aries talks about his World Championship match against Eli Drake. He says Eli is a former champions because he beat him not once, but twice, and he plans to make tonight a trifecta in Eli's home state, and he plans to keep the World Championship on his shoulder.

Before the next match, Eli Drake says the fans will get a gold rush, as he is naked without the Impact Wrestling World Championship and he is the only man worthy of carrying it. He then goes on to mock Austin Aries before saying a carnivore like him runs everything in the back and not a vegan like Austin Aries. Eli Drake says he can't stop the gravy train and he can't stop being himself, and nobody else can be, and that is just a fact of life.

Austin Aries retains the Impact Wrestling World Championship against Eli Drake. During the match, Eli Drake bumps the referee into the ropes to knock Austin Aries off the top rope, then hits Aries with one of his championship belts as the referee is down. Austin Aries still kicks out, and Eli Drake goes for the Gravy Train, Aries reverses it into a schoolboy to retain the title.